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most memorable sail of 2007

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Captain Ballast
1st Mate

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USA
38 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/20/2007 : 20:47:13

Hey all,

I want to briefly read you my most memorable sail in 2007. Let us all post our favorite or craziest sailing moments of 2007!

I sail on Lake Champlain, for those of you who don't know, it borders VT,NY and Canada. There are locks to reach the Hudson River to the south and the Richelieu River to the North...

It was the middle of July when I had a weekend cruise set up from Isle LaMotte to Valcour Island. We were setting sail at 10am and the WX freq on the VHF indicating a weather advisory. I had this planned for a while and was not backing out. There was light drizzle and threatening cloud formations. The rain was actually nice due to the hot weather. The plan was to sail into Treadwell bay and spend the night. We reached Treadwell unscathed. That night we took the rowing dinghy around with a lantern and bottle of Whiskey. There were about 30+ boats anchored in the bay. We rowed near boats singing old Shanties and when people cheered we asked for permission to board. We did this until we were out of Whiskey and energy. The next day was beautiful. Lake Champlain being a long narrow lake the 10-15 knot westerly wind was perfect. We passed 6 other sailboats on a 15 mile reach and was over taken by none. All the other boats were larger too. My explanation is efficient sailing and the ultra-light displacement of the Capri 25 which gets her to hull speed easily. We got to Valcour Island early afternoon and had good times on the beach where I slept (literally). The bay we chose was not that protected and my danforth didnt hold in the weedy bottom causing her to come to shore. With two people pushing and the motor we got her of the soft sandy bottom with no damage. I ended up using a storm anchor in the next bay over which was nice hard clay. After waking up the next day cold and hungover I decided to motor her all the way home. This trip was with my 1985 Catalina Capri 25 carrying one lubber and myself. The other boat is a Ted Brewer Grand Banks 22 carrying a captain, a sailor, a lubber and two dogs. I left out quite a bit, but gave you the highlights. You can see these boats on myspace. www.myspace.com/seawolvesmusic

Captain Grabman Ballast of "Queeg"
1985 Capri 25 #300
Lake Champlain, VT

Edited by - Captain Ballast on 10/23/2007 08:15:54

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 10/23/2007 : 08:29:55

I'm about to have my most memorable this week-end. Will be getting away from the dock for 3 days/2 nights. Can't wait!!

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 10/23/2007 : 18:15:07

Our most memorable event was at the dock in Anacortes, Washington. We were putting up the stick and a foolish Canadian came by and offered to help. Now, be aware that the smart thing to do when you see the Nauti Duck being rigged is to run in the opposite direction even if it means jumping off the end of the dock and swimming out to sea.

So, as luck would have it, the shrouds get screwed up and the mast wont go all the way up. It stops at about 80 degrees. So we lower it a tad so I can fix the turnbuckles. The Canadian guy is now holding the mast up. He has his shoulder into it and after a minute or two starts whimpering about "I can't hold it up much longer." This goes on for several minutes while I dink around with the turnbuckles, fetch tools, etc.

I'm thinking what is it with this guy? I thought Canadians were tough. Blizzards, Polar Bears, all that stuff. Did we get the one wuss Canadian??

I'm also thinking "What would Captain Kirk do when Scotty said the engine couldn't take any more?" Right, he'd up the power! So I had the Admiral lower the mast just a tad more.

OK, now the Canadian guy is turning sort of a light rust color and the Admiral is saying "Randy I don't think he can hold it much longer." Geesh, now my wife is defending this guy.

Well, we got the turnbuckles straightened out and the mast was set up. We thanked the Canadian guy and he hobbled off. Later the Admiral took him a bottle of wine (What is it with these two?). He was not at his boat and, incredibly, we never did find him around the marina again. Go figure.

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 10/23/2007 : 19:41:05

Not a sail so much as under power. We were headed out to a night at Boca Chita Key later in the day than planned. Forecast was pretty good, but we decided to motor across Biscayne Bay to make up for the later arrival. Forecast was wrong, how unusual! As we got halfway across the bay, the wind had risen to 30+ and the waves were a short 3 to 4'.

If you picture me at the helm, the admiral sat back to the wind and salty stuff flying over the bow and down the length of the boat. Me.. I'm having a ball, not cold enough to be uncomfortable, my glasses now salt laden, foulies sodden (cheap!) but enjoying moving with the waves, turning through the sweet spots. The admiral, sitting port side turned towards me, still with the wind to her back, looking out at me from her closed up foulies, all I can see are her eyes and mouth.

Thinking ... oh. oh! the admiral is going to get pretty crunchy any time now, I look over at her after another wave washes us down and soaks her back. She looks up at me and smiles! a wirey smile, but a smile none the less! Awesome!

With the aid of the GPS, in the dark, we navigate the skinny waters into Boca Chita Key and are assited by some earlier arrivals to tie up in the last boat length of the seawall.

Turned into a great weekend, made some really nice friends, and learnt a lot abhout how the boat handles in messy waters.

Great weekend.

Paul

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